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Diplomats oddly wary of Iraq postings
Posted by Fired Fred on November 8, 2007 4:56 PM
I'm completely shocked that State Department diplomats would rather be in Washington so they can enjoy their Redskins season tickets instead of lining up for a chance to dodge mortar fire and other assassination attempts in downtown Baghdad.
But that's the situation in Foggy Bottom, as volunteers for a one year visit to one of the most dangerous places on the planet simply haven't materialized. One diplomat even broke away from the nuanced language of diplomacy, calling a trip to Iraq "a death sentence."
State Department's kinda pissed about this, especially since it's a minority of diplomats making a stink and getting picked up by a media that hates the Bushies. They're threatening to fire people who won't go and lack a good excuse. One of their diplomats currently in Iraq ripped the whiners a new one...
We all know that few FSOs will REALLY be forced to come to Iraq anyway. Our system really does not work like that. This sound and fury at Foggy Bottom truly signifies nothing. Get over it! I do not think many Americans feel sorry for us and it is embarrassing for people with our privileges to paint ourselves as victims.Come on, diplomats. Just pack some SPF 70 sunblock and an armored vest. You've got Marines guarding you. Besides, it's been nearly 30 years since anyone tried taking over an American embassy in the Middle East. What's the problem?